Seaside Reader

This should have been titled INJURED

Revisado: 05-15-19

I thought that Tara Westover's story was one that deserved to be told, and I don't doubt that her childhood was confusing, horrific, abusive and filled with the gaslighting she described in Educated: A Memoir. Throughout her telling and writing I felt she used descriptions at lines elegant and lyrical. Her use of the language stood out. As they say, however, our strengths overstated can become weaknesses, and that is what I believe was the undoing of total enjoyment of this book. It should have been more factually called INJURED.

What I take exception to was the violently graphic way in which Westover chose to recount the abuse and so many accidents that they became unbelievable and frankly stood in the way of the reader's experience. Yes, some imagery must be put forth, and it wasn't pleasant to live through so therefore not comfortable to read. Yet, Westover could have told her story without such minute detail of physical injury to the point that I pressed the forward button on Audible so many times while driving and listening that I lost count. THAT is not a good sign for any work or author's account.

At one point I wanted to just escape from electrical lines, fires, grinders, machinery accidents, multiple car crashes and the like. That we wanted to shake the characters by the shoulders I think speaks highly of the author's retelling of her troubled childhood, but the long list of these injuries? Please, no.

I hope that the feedback is taken in the manner intended. Kudos for telling a riveting story, but please...rein in horrific experiences. Don't subject the reader to such excruciating and nauseating detail unless you really want to produce an off-putting work. No author intends that, I trust.

Julia Whelan is an excellent narrator; however, having listened to Kristen Hannah's The Great Alone, I could not get the nasty men in that story out of my head for the first half of this book. Indeed, the male characters were similarly awful to contend with, and perhaps the similarity stood out.

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Adds to One's Awareness

Revisado: 03-01-19

I enjoyed this book during a long commute to work and was able to finish it all in one day. That's a perk with any book.

The information here is very relevant to better relationship skills. Hearing the book as opposed to reading it allows for the intonation and understanding of how just the right words and tone lend empathy in a conversation. Sorensen gave many examples from personal situations and work to make the point that listening is more than the old Carl Rogers paraphrasing for content. I wish there was a shortened version for teenagers to learn from. Well done, highly recommend.

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Loved the story, loved the narration!

Revisado: 07-31-18

I always know when an audio book is a winner because I "bring it inside" rather than listen merely on my commutes in the car. I found myself intrigued by Greer and Tag, Celeste and Benji and all the rest of them. In fact, I loved the names in this book--so distinctive such as Shooter, Featherleigh, Merritt, and Greer's editor Enid.

To release this in the same month that the Nantucket wedding was set was fun. The timeline of dates certainly helped the listener or reader keep track of the story as it unravels, going back in time to the start of these characters' lives intersecting. While the potential crime of the maid-of-honor's death gets solved, and without even realizing it, the reader scrutinizes each couple's relationship such that by book's end, of course, there is no perfect couple. That's not a new message; however, how we come to that in our minds is both entertaining and refreshing. Loved the writing. Hilderbrand drew Greer's character out with all of the touches of her wealth (ala Veuve Clicquot, her favorite champagne!) and the titles of her exotically-set novels. Indeed, every character created seemed unique, and I wanted to find out more about them.

Superbly done! Thank you for a delightful book that I've listened to more than once on my commutes....within the month of July 2018! Hats off to Erin Bennett, the narrator of this novel. She did a fantastic job.

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Couldn’t keep up this slow torture

Revisado: 06-26-18

Doing the same thing expecting a different result is what we dub insanity. THAT is this book. Characters I couldn’t care less about, gratuitous sexual references and crude descriptions at times. Rambling storylines, passive-aggressive characters that whine, think too highly of themselves and have no redeeming qualities. Choice between slow torture and abandoning this book. Abandonment won because I simply could not like this book, nor the audible narration.

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Covers myths and why we must mentor

Revisado: 10-06-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Though directed to men predominantly, Athena Rising is a book for professional women as well. It tackles the myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic with a well-balanced mixture of advice, research, and copious examples from the military, government agencies and top corporations.

In particular, Johnson and Smith use no holds barred language that speaks directly to any man who is reluctant to work effectively with and see women succeed. They host the conversation about sexism, chivalry, stereotypes, and any temptations toward sexual attraction, but most importantly how mentoring women actually benefits a man's career. The authors make the topic a win-win scenario, and the lessons for women are equally pertinent with reminders to speak up, assert oneself, never become comfortable with second best nor shy away from a true challenge.

By the end of this book, readers will adopt Johnson's and Smith's mindset as they reframe any second thoughts about mentoring a woman in their organization. Listening to Athena Rising on Audible was pleasant and a good way to pass time during the morning or evening commute.

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Enjoyed the backdrop of WSGA

Revisado: 09-21-16

Would you listen to Stay Tuned again? Why?

I listened to this audio book on my commute, about the broadcasting career of Melissa Moore as she and her husband Chris face tough times, workplace bullying/drama, self-doubts and sandwich generation concerns. As their daughter moves away, they figure out who they are, what they want, and the how to get it is the bulk of this story. The audio rendition was easy to listen to but the story did drag in places. Overall, Clark wrote it concisely, which I appreciated, but there were some added details that just made it limp along and didn't get to the point as it could have. Had a hard time classifying this as either contemporary romance or women's fiction. I'd veer to the women's fiction since it dealt with so much more in the plot. The antagonist Alyssa came across somewhat predictable but with a few surprises as did the rest of the novel. Loved Candice's wisecracking and friendship. Enjoyed!

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Riveting novel for the non-thriller type

Revisado: 07-07-16

Surprised myself that I'd like this so much. Well-written and performed with much talent, Hunter had the intrigue, factual knowledge of crimes and vigilantes as well as the sizzling romance with Annie Woods. Those from the Maryland/Virginia environs as well as the Chesapeake Bay will particularly enjoy the settings in Hunter. Got a little confused about the year of the story, and think the cover model looks a tad too young for the experienced Dylan Hunter, but otherwise a fantastic listening experience.

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Excellent insights

Revisado: 06-12-16

Very glad I purchased. I work in the yield and I'll recommend this for client and colleagues to listen to or read. Good info on trauma recovery, anxiety and therapeutic modalities.

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Real, entertaining and refreshing

Revisado: 04-22-16

Truly enjoyed learning about Tina Fey's origins in life, comedy and management. Loved her narration and especially the background of SNL and 30 Rock. And, very thankful that Fey conveyed a no-holding back reality check on the double standards women continue to endure in pay, criticisms, sexism...and mommy judging. We can only hope her impersonations in this political season continue, even if occasionally. Thanks Tina!

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